AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

Chapter 10 Section 5

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

• THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• Main Idea

– The Harlem Renaissance sparked new trends in literature, music and art.

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• During World War I and 1920s hundreds of thousands of African American’s joined the “Great Migration”– By moving north, thought to escape segregation in

South and build better lives– Though discrimination did still exist, much better

opportunities than in the South– Moving to north also exposed to more culture,

especially in Harlem neighborhood of New York City– Artistic development, racial pride and political

organization grew… development of arts became known as “Harlem Renaissance”

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• The Writers– “Claude McKay” was first

important writer of Harlem Renaissance.• Translated American racism

into a collection of Poems called Harlem Shadows

– “Langston Hughes”: creative, original and versatile writer. Became a leading voice of African American experience in American

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE– “Zora Neale Hurston”:

Another important author in Harlem Renaissance.• Books like Their Eyes Were

Watching God gave spirited portrayals of rural African American culture and was the first time women were central characters

– Other Authors• Countee Cullen, Alain

Locke, Dorothy West and Nella Larsen

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• Jazz, Blues and the Theater– Native of New Orleans, Louis Armstrong moved to

Chicago in 1922 and introduced “jazz”• An improvisational style of music influenced by blues and

ragtime

– Three years later, Armstrong and group made recordings where Armstrong did highly imaginative solos• Became the first great cornet and trumpet soloist in jazz

music

– Artistic freedom of Chicago’s south side gave him courage to do these solos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--xy6nxea2A

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE– Edward “Duke” Ellington was

also influenced by ragtime• 1923 formed a band and played in

speakeasies in New York…created own “jazz like” style

• Examples: Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady

• Composed 6,000 musical pieces

– People like Ellington got start at “Cotton Club”• Most famous night club in Harlem

– Bessie Smith symbolized soul music.• Sang “Blues”, soulful music that

evolved from African American Spirituals

THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

– Theater arts also flourished in the 1920s

– Shuffle Along was first play written, produced and performed by African Americans (1921)• Launched careers of Florence mills and Paul Robeson

– Robeson graduated from Rutgers with a law degree before focusing on acting• Was recognized for Emperor Jones and Show Boat

• Also appeared at Apollo Theater in Harlem

– Harlem Renaissance brought international fame to African American arts

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

• AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS

• Main Idea

– While the NAACP pursued racial equality through the courts, black nationalists supported independence and separation from whites

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS

• The Black Vote in the North– World War I set stage for African Americans to reenter

federal politics in United States (saw themselves as citizens)

– The Great Migration had a big impact on political power of African Americans in the United states• Became powerful voting block that could sway the outcome

of elections

– In North, most African Americans voted for Republicans.• 1928 African American voters in Chicago voted as a bloc and helped elect Oscar DePriest• First African American representative in Congress from a Northern state

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS

• The NAACP Battles Injustice– Battle often against segregation and discrimination but

was often unsuccessful• Focused on lobbying public officials • Worked through the court system

– NAACP also lobbied against lynching• Led to anti-lynching legislation in house but in 1922 was

dismissed from Senate• Due to protests, kept in news and probably helped reduce

number of lynching

– Greatest political triumph occurred in 1930 with defeat of Judge John J. Parker’s nomination to Supreme Court• Showed that African American voters and lobby groups had

enough influence to affect national politics

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND 1920s POLITICS

• Black Nationalism and Marcus Garvey– Other groups began to emphasize black

nationalism and black pride• Some called for separation from white

society

– “Marcus Garvey” black leader from Jamaica• Called for “negro nationalism” which

glorified black culture and traditions• Inspired by Booker T Washington, Garvey

formed Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

• FBI Saw as dangerous and movement did not have a lot of support

• Committed Mail Fraud in 1923 and was deported to Jamaica

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

1. How did African Americans help shape the national identity through the use of music?

2. How did World War I change attitudes among African Americans toward themselves and their country?

3. What actions did the NAACP take to expand political fights for African Americans?

4. Explain Blues and Jazz